There's some horribly sad and mournful song on the radio lately, and it works: Every time I hear it, I want to cry. It puts me in mind of, What would happen if I lost one of my children? My wife? Or all of them? Accidents happen. Even stupid things happen that cost a man everything, like infidelity, alcoholism, unemployment.

I think of Squinx growing up without a father ... or not growing up at all. A friend's sister just lost a five-year-old to cancer. I cannot begin to imagine that, yet it's part of the reality of life and death.

Gotta credit the songwriter, whoever he is. I'm afraid to look him up, frankly because even thinking about the song makes me sad again.

I came home this afternoon to find everybody in bed. Afternoon naps had gotten a late start. I went into Squinx's room, where she was wide awake and playing. I gathered her up in my arms and said, "I love you, and I'm grateful you're my daughter."

Whether she remembers that or not, it needed to be said.

I looked it up anyway. It's Josh Groban's "February Song."

Some people shy away from, or disparage, sad songs. I think we should be strong enough to recognize an effective composition even when it moves us in a direction we usually don't want to go.

Posted by: Michael Rittenhouse at 07:54 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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